I like college football. Okay, love it. My signature used to be something like: give me the two worst teams, the worst seats in the stadium, and the coldest day, and I would still go and have a good time. I will watch the game next week. Just still feels a little empty though. I know it is about the 4 best teams. Not about conference champs. But is it okay to view this as a regular SEC game? Heck, the way this thing played out, toss Clemson and bring in the Buckeyes. Just kidding. I wonder how many more times this will happen in the CFP era.

UCF played a weak schedule...they did beat a two loss Auburn as arguably their best win....but I don't think that they would have looked as good playing Auburn's schedule (Alabama, Georgia twice, Clemson, LSU)

But UCF was fun to watch...they were tied 42-42 with 1:41 left against USF..and ran back the kickoff for the win...beat Memphis in double OT...both great games for us fans

I would find it morally reprehensible and ethically corrupt to sell raffle tickets knowing I was not going to put every ticket sold into the pot. This is not a good analogy.

I buy a raffle ticket with my one dollar, which is all I have, knowing some buyers, like Billybud Consortiums, Inc have mucho bucks and will buy many tickets. That's the way it is. Chances are BBC tickets are going to win, but I still buy; a true sucker's purchase. This also is not a good analogy.

I know I don't have the dollars, which fuels the mechanism of a mega raffle, and knowing I stand no chance to win, for either of the above, I withdraw from buying a ticket and form my own raffle. That time integrity, guts and others that feel the same way. Let the Mega raffle have ten ticket buyers. This is a pipe dream that transcends football.

And besides, without looking, anyone knows who the Division III champion is, and who coaches as Finlandia?

Guess it best to be invited to the party but forbidden refreshments.

As I age it is hard to tell if I am inspired by reasoned passion or arthritic knees; most likely it is arthritic reasoning.

And let us be realistic...with near 130 teams...there will always be an argument about the best four

If you win 'em all, but your end schedule SOS is stinky poor....65 ranks plus higher than Clemson and Oklahoma...50 some odd higher than Georgia, 25 higher than Bama...only one game against a final top 30 team.....while Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson played 5 or more top 30 teams...you aren't playing the same game.

It would be like playing a par three course against someone playing the Blue Monster.

billybud wrote:Just because you sit at the table, doesn't mean that you get a glass of wine like the adults.

I learned that lesson as a kid...

And there was never any expectations you would. Learned that as an adult.

And...Scheduling is the biggest red herring out there. You schedule a top ten team and they have a bust year, you're sunk. Small schools have to climb a ladder but there are no rungs. Small schools should be banned from playing in the D1 tournament because of contamination. Trying to justify the current system is ludicrous. Let's play monopoly and you don't get any money and are only allowed to buy Baltic Ave.

On a serious note.. I was in the head a few minutes ago in an office building and there was this big strapping guy next to me. Didn't know him. I asked him, "Did your teams win this weekend. "Hell, No and I don't give a darn about the SEC." Really happened. I think that is the general sentiment in the West.

As I age it is hard to tell if I am inspired by reasoned passion or arthritic knees; most likely it is arthritic reasoning.

donovan wrote:nd...Scheduling is the biggest red herring out there. You schedule a top ten team and they have a bust year, you're sunk. Small schools have to climb a ladder but there are no rungs. Small schools should be banned from playing in the D1 tournament because of contamination. Trying to justify the current system is ludicrous.

This is the reason I've lost major interest in college basketball. After leaving Illinois State out last March due to scheduling but so many refused to schedule them when contacted. Media will hush and ignore that conversation, and simply point to what is convenient for the money schools. Who says UCF didnt try and put one or two better opponents on the schedule. Was Austin Peay on the schedule last Dec/Jan, or was it a late add when a school bailed on them or no takers to fill the spot as July/Aug approached? Those schools have no reason to play a game they can lose and most will refuse any request to play them regardless. They certainly wont play a true road game, yes too superior for such things. Any loss is due to no interest in being in such a "lower" bowl game. The group of 5 can and will never win. Any time they find a way to get close, the rules will change and new stipulations added. The only hope they have is to become so dominant with a large enough media market that a power conference invites them to the prestigious table.